“Ten… Eleven…Twelve…” Finally my muscles fail me as I complete my twelfth pushup breaking my previous record of Eleven. It might not seem like much but it’s honest work.
Three years have passed since my first steps and over this period of time I’ve finally learned to speak. I mean I already knew how but words just didn’t seem to fit when I tried to say them, eventually that went away but I still sound like a toddler, though a smart one if I do say so myself. On top of my growing linguistic skills my physical abilities have taken a much greater leap than I thought a 3 year old should be able to accomplish but my theory has to do with the inherent mana in the air. Walking is no longer an issue as I’ve now accomplished an even harder goal. Running. Not to mention the other things like pushups, squats, jumping, you get it.
“Casius are you ‘training’ again? I thought I told you to wait until you were older.” Behind me the tired voice of my mother called out.
I knew she told me to stop when I first started trying to get stronger at two but you think she would give up after a year right? Sadly she is a persistent, stubborn woman when it comes to her son.
“No mom, I was just lying on the cold ground. It feels good, you should try it.” Though my attempt at lying has been seen through, curse this woman and her intuition.
“Casius, look I know that you want to get stronger but why can’t you just wait until you're older.”
“What else can I do? You won’t let me leave the house…” I said, a grumpy expression written onto my face.
“Do you really want to go outside that badly? You’ve been asking everyday.” She sees my hopeful expression and sighs “Fine, tomorrow me and your father bring you out and show you the city of Arist.”
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Finally! I’ve been asking her since I’ve been able to talk to go outside and explore. It’s not like I’ve never seen the sun, just that I was only let out in the yard. Now that I think about it, my family must be somewhat wealthy if we can have all of this in a city right? Guess I’ll find out later.
Quickly getting up I hug her tightly, truly grateful for this new soon to be adventure.
– Hours later–
Sitting in my room finally alone from the watchful eyes of my mother and Amelia I cross my legs and close my eyes. Ever since I learned about magic and cores I’ve tried everything to awaken one on my own but after hundreds of tries I still have yet to sense anything supernatural.
Clearing away my thoughts of my failures I adjust my posture and try again, closing my eyes tightly in concentration as I yearn for any sensation. Minutes pass as thoughts of failure fill my mind as yet again nothing is happening. Giving one final burst of will I finally see it.
Tiny blue particles fill my vision as they surround me in the air. I marvel at the beauty of them, a perfect color that fills one with a sense of calm. Excited with my discovery I try to will them closer but they refuse to budge, even as I strain to my absolute limit they just won’t move.
While I continue trying to move the blue dots I feel a faint tingle in my chest. Deciding to ignore the stubborn blue things for now I try to look into that feeling in my chest and discover a grey orb floating in the middle. I try to brush it with my will but I touch it. I keep trying but every result is the same, nothing happens. Suddenly a headache rocks my skull, my body finally gives up from the intense mental strain it’s been performing. I try my best to meditate hoping to relieve myself of the pain and thankfully it slowly eases back to a manageable level. I decide it’s best to stop for tonight and drift off to sleep, a smile gracing my lips as I’ve taken my first real steps in this world.
